The Three Weeks

Overview and laws of the period leading up to Tisha B'Av.

The "Three Weeks" between the 17th of Tammuz and the Tisha B'Av have historically been days of misfortune and calamity for the Jewish people. During this time, both the First and Second Temples were destroyed, amongst other terrible tragedies.

These days are referred to as the period "within the straits" (bein hametzarim), in accordance with the verse: "all her oppressors have overtaken her within the straits" (Lamentations 1:3).

On Shabbat during the Three Weeks, the Haftorahs are taken from chapters in Isaiah and Jeremiah dealing with the Temple's destruction and the exile of the Jewish people.

During this time, various aspects of mourning are observed by the entire nation. We minimize joy and celebration. And, since the attribute of Divine judgement (“din”) is acutely felt, we avoid potentially dangerous or risky endeavors.

ASPECTS OF MOURNING DURING THE THREE WEEKS

No weddings are held. (However, engagement ceremonies are permitted.)

We do not listen to music.

We avoid all public celebrations -- especially those which involve dancing and musical accompaniment.

No haircuts or shaving. (Fingernails may be clipped up until the week in which Tisha B'Av falls.)

We do not say the blessing She-hechianu on new food or clothes, except on Shabbat.

THE NINE DAYS

The period commencing with Rosh Chodesh Av is called the "Nine Days." During this time, a stricter level of mourning is observed, in accordance with the Talmudic dictum (Ta'anit 26): "When the month of Av begins, we reduce our joy."

(1) We avoid purchasing any items that bring great joy.

(2) We suspend home improvements, or the planting of trees and flowers.

(3) We avoid litigation with non-Jews, since fortune is inauspicious at this time.

(4) We abstain from the consumption of meat (including poultry) and wine. These foods are symbolic of the Temple service, and are generally expressions of celebration and joy.

On Shabbat, meat and wine are permitted. This applies also to any other seuduat mitzvah -- for example, at a Brit Milah or at the completion of a tractate of Talmud.

Wine from Havdallah should be given to a child to drink.

(5) We refrain from wearing newly laundered garments, or laundering any clothes.

If the "freshness" has been taken out of a garment prior to the Nine Days, it may be worn.

Fresh clothes may be worn for Shabbat.

The clothing of small children, which gets soiled frequently, may be laundered during the Nine Days.

Clothes may not be laundered even if done in preparation for after Tisha B'Av, or even if done by a non-Jew.

(6) We do not bathe for pleasure.

It is permitted to bathe in order to remove dirt or perspiration, or for medical reasons. This may be done only in cool water.

Furthermore, the body should be washed in parts, rather than all at one time.

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About the Author

Rabbi Shraga Simmons spent his childhood trekking through snow in Buffalo, New York. He holds a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, and rabbinic ordination from the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. In 1997 he became the founding editor of Aish.com, and later the founder and director of the Torah study website, JewishPathways.com.

An expert on media bias, Simmons was the founding editor of HonestReporting.com, building it into a leading database of pro-Israel activists, where his work was cited by the New York Times as effecting sweeping changes in Mideast media coverage. He is the author of the definitive treatment of the topic, David & Goliath: The Explosive Inside Story of Media Bias in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (2012), which James Taranto of the Wall Street Journal calls "of crucial importance for the future of the Middle East."

In 2012, Simmons produced the critically-acclaimed short film, "Red Line on Iran," outlining a peaceful solution to stopping nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.

Rabbi Simmons currently serves as the Director of Aish Communications, handling all marketing, public relations and media activities for Aish HaTorah International.

Visitor Comments: 16

(11)
Moshe,
August 1, 2014 3:03 PM

Lions

If you are looking for reasons that something bad happened to you AFTER the fact, you can always find some. By breaking these "laws" you may leave yourself open to bad things occurring IF you let the guilt get to you while you are enjoying them

(10)
Anonymous,
July 25, 2014 9:51 PM

Thank u very much!! It cleared up a lot.

(9)
leah safdie,
July 13, 2010 12:00 AM

Thank You

I know that I can always count on you, when I have questions regarding "Dean" or "Kashrut", once I have read the laws leading up to Tish B'Av, I know in my heart my family and I will obey the laws.

(8)
ssgt leslie,
July 23, 2009 6:44 PM

thank you

clear and concise halacha's. explained and written well. thank you. from a combat jewish war veteran.

(7)
Anonymous,
July 9, 2009 5:47 PM

Rabbi Simmons style, helpful and informative.

(6)
Sadder But Wiser,
July 9, 2009 3:15 PM

They weren't kidding

You think the rabbis who said the Three Weeks were a bad time for fun and games were kidding? Think the whole "Midat HaDin" thing is an exageration? Trust me, it's not.
Last year, my family went on a safari in Africa during the Three Weeks (for reasons that made perfect sense at the time). A few days into the trip (to make a long and complicated story short) I got bitten by a lion. Let me repeat that. I got bitten. By a freakin' LION. I had to have surgery, and my scars aren't fully healed yet.
Take my story to heart, folks, and DON'T TRAVEL DURING THE 3 WEEKS!

Elan,
July 5, 2012 4:29 PM

Sorry, But That's Just Ridiculous

That's just being a bit extreme - you're not going to be bit by a lion as like a "punishment" or something. You just happened to be bit by a lion. As Jews, we don't believe that God is vengeful and seeks to punish people. If everyone was just punished every time they did something they maybe they shouldn't be doing, there wouldn't be any Jews left - we would've all just been wiped out by like a massive plague or something. :)

No it's true,
July 10, 2012 9:00 PM

Sadder but Wiser is right

It's not that he got punished, it's that we were warned that the three weeks, and the nine days in particular, are not days on which we should be doing anything for fun, or anything risky, since, to quote the article above, fortune is inauspicious at this time. When I was younger, a counselor took my bunk roller blading and biking on small road nearby, during the nine days. My skating was not poor, merely average, yet somehow I managed to fall down an entire hill, chip my front three bottom teeth, and break both bones in my right wrist. Of course, that could have happened any time, I suppose, but it's telling that anyone who heard the story said, "Well, what were you doing skating down hills during the nine days?!" It's assumed to be common knowledge that we do not indulge in activities for fun, especially risky ones, during this time of year.

CJ Srullowitz,
July 18, 2012 7:02 PM

NO. It's not ridiculous

Elan, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter AFTER YOU"VE been bitten by a lion. While we don't believe that G-d strikes down sinners immediately, there are still warnings and lessons to be learned. After all, he wasn't eaten by the lion.

Rina,
May 2, 2013 6:53 PM

It's Not Ridiculous

It doesn't have to be a punishment from Hashem that he got bitten by a lion. It could just be that bad things happen during that time and we need to limit our exposure as much as possible. Traveling opens itself to all sorts of potential calamities that you wouldn't be exposed to at home. Of course bad things can happen anywhere, even at home, that's why we pray and do tshuvah (repentance). To me, the fact that the lion bite is so extreme and so unlikely is even more proof that we need to be careful during the three weeks.

Michael,
June 26, 2013 11:53 PM

Yup. I had a horrific jet ski accident during three weeks. Thank G-d I am alive.

(5)
Simon,
July 27, 2008 1:14 PM

Very precise and concise answers to all questions!

I've been using your website for years and absolutely love it! Thank you!

(4)
Anonymous,
July 23, 2008 4:37 AM

:-)

fantastic!
i love this website!
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i love you
xx

(3)
Hildaura,
July 6, 2008 5:41 PM

Thanks, I found the answered to my question.

It was really informative the article about the three weeks, finally I know when the period start.

(2)
David,
July 28, 2006 12:00 AM

Thanks, it's very helpful.I can finally say I understand what this is all about.